UFC 136 Play-by-Play: Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago

Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago

Round 1: Maia pawing with his left hand. He closes the distance and clinches. Santiago quickly separates after avoiding a takedown. Leg kick landed by Santiago. Maia lands a left hand and swings wildly. Maia gets the takedown and is inside Santiago’s half guard. Santiago uses butterfly guard and pushes Maia away into the air. They’re back to their feet. Santiago looks to land the right hand at the half way mark in the round. Maia looking to counter. Santiago moves forward with a high kick. Maia counters with a right hand that lands clean. Maia gets the fight to the ground and lands short elbows. He works inside Santiago’s full guard. Maia stands and throws punches. Santiago lands an up-kick. The round ends with Maia inside Santiago’s guard. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Maia.

Round 2: Santiago throws to high kicks to start the round, both were blocked. They stand for the first minute or so in the round. Neither landing anything damaging. Santiago presses forward with punches and Maia ties him up before taking him down. Maia works ground and pound. He stands and tries to pass Santiago’s guard. Santiago moves to butterfly guard. Maia moves to half guard. Maia lands right hands to Santiago’s head. Maia can’t pass Santiago’s guard. The round ends with Maia on top and Santiago working butterfly guard. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Maia.

Round 3: Santiago moves forward only to be taken down. He gets back up but is still clinched up with Maia. Santiago breaks free and they take the center of the Octagon. Santiago lands a right hand and grazed him with another. Maia shoots in and gets the takedown. Santiago immediately gets back up but Maia has his back standing. After a moment of working for position, Maia gets the fight back to the ground. Maia works inside the half guard of Santiago, landing short elbows. Two minutes remaining and it’s Maia out grappling Santiago. Maia stands and Santiago lands and up-kick. Maia goes back inside Santiago’s guard. The crowd grows restless. Maia advances to side control before moving to North/South position. The crowd is booing. Santiago gets back to half guard. Maia landing punches and elbows to the body and head as the round ends. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Maia.